Written by: Jon McDonald
Edited by: Austin Lang
Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker
Single parenting is tough. Dealing with busy schedules, big emotions, and daily routines on your own, along with no one to assist with making meals, can be exhausting.
However, one of the most daunting prospects for single parents is affording everything their family needs. School fees, clothing, extramurals, child care, and medical bills, all add up to put huge financial pressure on parents who are already juggling how to prioritize their children among their working responsibilities.
A single income often doesn’t meet the needs of a family in today’s age, and what that means is that more parents are turning to things like credit cards and short-term loans to afford the monthly essentials.
Unfortunately, without any extra space for savings or financial cushions, and without the benefit of a second income, single parents can quickly see themselves missing payments and going further down a rabbit hole of debt. This is particularly likely in times of crises or when unexpected expenses railroad proper budget planning.
The consistent use of credit cards or inability to reduce debt can unfortunately lead to single parents being negatively impacted. Their credit scores continue to decline, meaning that finding affordable borrowing options are few and far between.
To find out just how many single-parent households are in this cycle of struggle, we carried out a four-year study of County Health Rankings data to determine the prevalence of these single-income families. Here is what the data reveals:
The States With The Most Single-Parent Families
In terms of the states with the most single-parent families, Mississippi and Louisiana came up tops with 36% and 35% of the children in those states living with single parents.
But how has this data changed over the years? The data shows that six states have shown a 2% decrease in the number of single-parent households over the past five years. Namely, these are Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island and South Dakota.
| State | % Children in Single-Parent Households 2021 | % Children in Single-Parent Households 2024 | % Change Over 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 21 | 19 | -2 |
| Massachusetts | 25 | 23 | -2 |
| New Jersey | 23 | 21 | -2 |
| North Dakota | 20 | 18 | -2 |
| Rhode Island | 28 | 26 | -2 |
| South Dakota | 23 | 21 | -2 |
| Alabama | 32 | 31 | -1 |
| Arizona | 26 | 25 | -1 |
| Arkansas | 29 | 28 | -1 |
| California | 23 | 22 | -1 |
| Florida | 29 | 28 | -1 |
| Idaho | 18 | 17 | -1 |
| Indiana | 25 | 24 | -1 |
| Iowa | 21 | 20 | -1 |
| Kentucky | 26 | 25 | -1 |
| Michigan | 26 | 25 | -1 |
| Mississippi | 37 | 36 | -1 |
| Missouri | 25 | 24 | -1 |
| Nebraska | 21 | 20 | -1 |
| New York | 27 | 26 | -1 |
| North Carolina | 28 | 27 | -1 |
| Ohio | 27 | 26 | -1 |
| Oklahoma | 27 | 26 | -1 |
| Oregon | 21 | 20 | -1 |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 25 | -1 |
| South Carolina | 31 | 30 | -1 |
| Tennessee | 29 | 28 | -1 |
| Washington | 20 | 19 | -1 |
| West Virginia | 25 | 24 | -1 |
| Wisconsin | 23 | 22 | -1 |
| Alaska | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| Connecticut | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| Illinois | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| Kansas | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| Louisiana | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| Maryland | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| Minnesota | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| Montana | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| New Hampshire | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| New Mexico | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| Texas | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| Utah | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| Vermont | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| Virginia | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| Wyoming | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| Colorado | 21 | 22 | 1 |
| Delaware | 28 | 29 | 1 |
| Georgia | 30 | 31 | 1 |
| Hawaii | 21 | 22 | 1 |
| Nevada | 27 | 28 | 1 |
All the other states had experienced no change or a 1% decrease in single-parent households. Only five states saw a rise in parents raising their children solo in the years between 2021 and 2024. These states were Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, and Nevada.
So, which states have the fewest number of single-parent households? These were Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, with just 14%, 17%, and 18% of children in those respective states living with single parents.
County-Level Statistics
On a county level, Emporia City in Virginia and Sterling in Texas saw the biggest decrease in single-parent households between 2021 and 2025, experiencing a 35% decrease.
When looking at the counties experiencing the biggest decline in single-parent homes, two other counties in Texas, including Presidio and Shackelford, also fell in the top five, with a 30% and 29% decline respectively. Petroleum in Montana rounded out the top five with a 33% decline in single-parent families in these five years.
This data could be indicative of government interventions targeted towards economic and social development and better family planning and developmental programs.
The counties with the most single-parent families in 2024 include McCormick in South Carolina, East Carroll in Louisiana, and Humphreys in Mississippi with 79%, 76%, and 72% of the children in these counties residing in a household with only a single-parent and income.
In these counties, there could be bigger economic and educational challenges, with the stats indicating slower progress in certain areas.
Several Georgia counties, including Hancock, Quitman, and Randolph, also had a high prevalence of single parenthood, with 69-70% of households having a single parent.
What Can Single Parents Do To Avoid Debt?
Even though the data shows that single-parenthood may be on the decline, a staggering number of families are still trying to get by on just one salary. If you find yourself in this situation, what can you do to help every dollar stretch further and ensure that you don’t get trapped in a cycle of credit and debt?
- Draw up a robust budget
The first step to thriving as a single parent on one income would be to have a detailed budget so that you can clearly see where your money is going each month. You’ll need to detail your income, essential monthly expenses such as school fees, rent, or medication, and then any non-essential items that you could possibly cut down on, such as entertainment or extramurals. Don’t forget to leave some money in your monthly budget for unseen expenses, and save these funds any month you don’t end up tapping into them.
- See where you can save
With a detailed budget, you’ll be able to see where you can possibly save a few bucks, remembering that every dollar counts. For instance, you may be able to save on streaming services if you pay the entire year in advance. The same goes for school fees. There may also be things you can cut completely, such as the extra coffee you have in the morning.
- Embrace free items
Start being more frugal by utilizing things that are free to use. Invest some time each evening in couponing, or use store loyalty cards to maximize your discounts. Also, look for free things to do in your neighborhood, such as going on walks rather than eating out. When it comes to birthdays, which can also drain the budget fast, look for places that offer discounts or complimentary experiences to the person celebrating.
- Maximize your income
To get the most out of your money, you’ll want to determine which debts are draining your bank account the quickest. Aim to pay off those loans and credit cards that have the highest interest first, and make sure you’re on top of any interest-free payments using stop orders. You should also set aside some of your monthly income into a savings account each month. Look for one that yields a good interest rate and start small to build up a good nest egg.
- Invest in yourself
Monetary issues and the stress that comes with them can quickly spiral into depression and anxiety. Try investing in yourself to ensure that you’re also doing something you love. Can you take some free courses after hours or start a side hustle? Or perhaps you simply need to get out and start networking with other like-minded individuals. Remember, a happy parent equals happy children.
Methodology
Data utilized in this study was sourced from the County Health Rankings spanning the years 2021 to 2024. Our research focused on examining the prevalence and dynamics of single-parent households across various counties. By analyzing these datasets over a four-year period, we aimed to identify significant trends and changes in the socioeconomic landscape of single-income families. This study sheds light on the evolving patterns within single-parent households at the county level, highlighting notable shifts and their implications.
